Cornea and external disease

Abstract

New developments in cornea and external disease therapy are frequent and influence many aspects of the management of eye disease, including infectious disease, ocular surface disease, corneal surgery, and correction of refractive errors. Although media attention often highlights the novelty or potential impact of any advance, putting the new developments into proper perspective requires a more judicious and critical appraisal. The contributors to this issue of the Ophthalmology Clinics of North America provide that appraisal with respect to anti-infectious therapy, management of ocular surface disease, contact lens wear, novel surgical management of endothelial disease, and options for correction of refractive errors. The Charles T. Campbell Ophthalmic Microbiology Laboratory of the Eye and Ear Institute of the University of Pittsburgh provides a review of present-day ophthalmic microbiology. Regis Kowalski, MS, is the Technical Director of the Campbell Laboratory and reviews the experience of the laboratory with respect to antimicrobial sensitivity and emerging resistance; Francis Mah, MD, is the Associate Medical Director and reviews the scope of antibiotics and outlines new developments in antimicrobial options. A review of the present understanding of ocular surface disease summarizes dry eye therapy and management of meibomian gland disease. A summary of the new surgical approaches to treating ocular surface disease includes an overview of amniotic membrane transplantation by Thomas John, MD, and the options for limbal stem cell resurfacing by Drs. Kim and Holland. Perry Rosenthal, MD, describes the results of silicone scleral contact lens therapy for ocular surface disorders. New developments in contact lens therapy include the new generation of extended and continuous wear high-Dk materials, which are described by Peter Donshik, MD. An overview of the options for the use of therapeutic contact lenses completes an update of the evolving contact lens armamentarium. Finally, there is a presentation of novel innovations in surgical treatment of the cornea, which includes discussion and comparison of the flap (anterior) and limbal pocket (posterior) approaches to endothelial replacement. The issue concludes with a review of developments in LASIK and LASEK refractive surgery. To the authors who contributed to this issue, I extend my thanks and appreciation. To the reader, I express my hope that this review of the new developments in corneal and external disease treatment proves useful and provides perspective for optimal patient care.